*Continuation of Episode 13*

**********
Nkechi searched for her elder sister all over the house but couldn't find her. She went to the her mother's shop to ask her if she'd seen Nkiru. She was told Nkiru was inside the house and hadn't left it all day. The other members of the family had gone to watch the annual football competition going on. Not having an interest in such, she'd only gone to watch the 'Ekeleke' festival. Wondering where her sister was hiding, she decided to check the backyard. She'd come back early from her salon because of the road construction going on in front of the shop. It made the whole place dusty and customers refused coming there as a result of the dust and inability to get to the salon without becoming dusty in appearance. Despite the fact that it was the festive season where girls wanted to make their hair to look good, business was poor. Two of her apprentices had however gone to make the hair of someone in her house. Since it was going to take awhile for the road to be finished and after staring at those going and coming all morning, she'd decided it was best if she went home to be with her sister who was home for roughly a week or two owing to the fact that those wicked NYSC officials had placed clearance on the third of January, the following year. She however made sure her number was visible for all and sundry to see on the wall outside the salon in case of home services.

Nkechi was alarmed when she opened the back door and saw her sister with her head against the wall, curving her arms round her churning stomach and involuntarily rocking back and forth on the edge of the bench. She had her teeth beneath her bottom lip and tears were pouring profusely from her eyes. A photograph was clasped to her chest.

"Nkiru! What's the matter?" She sat beside her and removed the picture from her grasp. It was Gio. She smiled. Maybe they'd quarreled again or she was missing him. Nkechi chased away the goats and hens who had rushed towards them in hope of getting a meal since one of their meal givers was around. They scattered away, running on the dusty red ground, bleating and clucking.

"NK, how far? You guys have quarreled again, abi? But you should know and understand Gio by now. Stop crying. Or is that you're missing your boo? Ndo!" She comforted her sister even though she was trying her best to hide a smile. Nkiru turned her tear-stained face to stare at her sister.

"Jessica is pregnant. She said Gio is responsible," she informed her sister without any preamble.

"Jesus! Tufiakwa! (God forbid!)" Nkechi moved her right hand around her head and clicked her thumb and middle finger. 

"He called me not long ago. She came with her parents and her uncle, the chief justice. They've probably set a date for the introduction." More tears rolled down her eyes. "I underestimated her. I was very foolish. She told me to my face that I'd never marry Gio, that she'd make sure of it. Now she's done her worse."

"Jesus! Which kain wahala be this na? Oh, my God! Oh, my God! I feel like tearing that harlot apart limb by limb! Na by force again?" Nkechi lamented. She put her arms around Nkiru's shoulders. "It's okay. We'll find a way to get out of this. Two small antelopes can beat a big one."

"How?" She sniffed. "I might as well start getting used to life without him." 

"Don't talk like that. Abeg!" She put her sister's head on her chest. "What of Gio? What's he saying about all these?"

"He wants us to see face to face to talk. We'll be going back to Akure on the 2nd of January."

"Okay. That's good. The best way to eat an elephant in your path is cut it up into little pieces." Nkechi had also taken her mother's proverb-speaking tongue. "Everything's going to be alright," she consoled the weeping girl. "But wait, NK, are you sure Gio didn't sleep with the i.diot that night?"

Nkiru raised her head to look into her eyes. "With every fibre of my being. Remember I told you what he told me na. If he hadn't told me what went down that night, I'd doubt him now."

"I know but men can be fickle sometimes."

"Not my Gio," Nkiru affirmed strongly. "I mean, this is Gio we are talking about. He hasn't laid a finger on me. We lived together for almost a month yet nothing of that sort from him. Is it Jessica he will now fall for? Someone he hates with a passion? He now regrets not making sure Fi stayed away from her when he caught her having s.ex with a guy one night. I know things look bad right now but I believe this is just to test our love for each other. At the end, this will strengthen us. True love must go through such hurdles and challenges. I love Gio with a passion. I can't imagine life without him."

Nkechi could't hide the admiration in her eyes for her sister willing to stand by her man and fight for their love. She prayed she'd meet such a guy she was willing to fight for like this someday but she was definitely not going to hold her breath about it. "Okay, I understand. Don't worry, everything will be alright," she told her sister but inwardly she worried that her sister's relationship with Gio might be over. The rich would oppress the poor once more.

*********

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Ivie felt that bible verse wasn't for her for she had wept and wept yet joy refused to locate her. Joy in the person of her ex-boyfriend coming to tell her that he believed her and would love for them kiss and make up. But Felix would never do that now. He'd moved on as she heard. She was just building castles in the air. Felix was probably gone for good!

Feeling a bit under the weather, she moved her lean frame to the bare kitchen to get herself a sachet of BJ pure water. It was most unfortunate that she was all alone in this her most trying period. Her aunt had taken residence in the specialist hospital in order to take care of her grandfather who looked set to kick the bucket any moment from now. Or maybe it was even a good thing her aunt was absent. How would she be able to tell her all she had gone through and all the lies she'd told just to be with Felix. Her aunt would be so disappointed that she hadn't kept her promise to her mother of keeping her virginity till she had a ring on her wedding finger.

More tears dropped from her eyes as she flung the almost empty sachet of pure water in the waste bin and weakly walked back to her room. Everyone had abandoned her. Even Obehi who she believed had a hand in what had happened that cursed evening had come to rain abuses on her for cheating on Felix with her brother who was bringing home his fiancée the following week. That had made her cry her eyes out. So after ruining her life, Ehis wanted to get married to someone else? Oh, she really ought to strip naked at the stroke of midnight and rain horrendous curses on his future. But would that bring Felix back? Would that vindicate her? Would that show to all and sundry that she wasn't a cheat? It was a lost cause. Everyone now saw her as a slut, a gold digger. To them she'd made the ultimate sin of cheating on their golden boy. Her sales had dwindled drastically. Everywhere she went, people cast aspersions on her character. It was so unfair. She was innocent.

She'd been foolish! So foolish! Ehis had deceived her with his niceties. He was nothing but a smooth-tongued devil. When she saw Felix was furious at her association with him, she'd declined his gifts and his lifts, she'd even stopped talking to him. That fateful evening, he'd come to her shop to tell her her aunt was at home and desperately needed for her to come home because her grandfather, on his deathbed wanted to see her. With her heart in her throat, she'd dialled her aunt's number to make doubly sure but the line was unavailable. Rushing to close her small shop, she'd been at her wits end at what to do. She wasn't overly close to the old man but he'd provided her with shelter even though he was dead broke. She hadn't said a single word to Ehis on the journey home but had had plenty to say when she got home and called for her aunt but received no response. Ehis had grabbed her, put a hand across her mouth and carried her to her room just down the corridor with her kicking and spitting fire. If only Felix had come in five minutes earlier, he would have heard her crying for help. But he'd come when Ehis had put his hands on her throat and pressed hard, almost cutting off her oxygen and almsot lulling her to sleep which had left her very weak and given the rapist the opportunity of taking off her clothes and kissing and carressing her. Noticing he'd paused, she'd slowly followed the direction of his gaze and almost sobbed out her relief until she realized Felix was staring at her with pain, sorrow, betrayal and anger, all in those dark eyes of his. Her tear dam had burst open and she'd tried to explain things to him. He'd left before she could. The useless Ehis had smiled and told her it served her right before putting on his clothes and departing.

After getting back her strength, she'd tried calling Felix to explain things but couldn't get in touch with him. She'd even gone to his place but the gateman had refused opening the gate for her. Out of desperation, she'd called his friends, Ose and Kenneth to explain things to them. Ose had cussed her out while Kenneth and listened and promised talking to Felix but when she'd called him back the following day, he'd told her to stop calling him. Obehi had come to her house to abuse her two days later. Almost going haywire over the next few days, she'd kept calling Felix's line and sending him text messages explaining what really happened but had received no reply and his gateman still refused allowing her to enter the house.

Pushing her weak self to her feet, she decided to try one more time. At least to tell him what she was suspecting whether he believed her or not. Walking slowly to her travel bag, she selected one of the spaghetti gowns Felix had gotten her and which he loved seeing her in. It was a flowery multicolored dress which showed off her nice figure. Putting a comb through her hair and applying minimal makeup to her pale face, she got ready to spend the whole day in front of his house if possible. She was that determined to see him. She prayed he would be at home instead of watching the Igbabonelimhin acrobatic masquerade dancing competition going on at the public field. Praying against all odds, she sent him a text message that she was coming over and had an important message to give to him. Her eyes almost popped out of its sockets when he sent a reply that she could come over. Happiness put colour on her pale cheeks. Maybe, just maybe he was beginning to believe her.

The motorcycle wasn't fast enough in her estimation. She kept urging the rider on. She felt like flying to her beloved. The poor man had not stopped his means of livelihood before Ivie hopped down from it and paid him without waiting for her change. She banged on the black iron gate, greeted the gateman when he opened it and rushed into the large compound. She didn't stop to marvel at the beauty of the compound with its trees and beautifully grown flowers this time around. She just wanted to see her boo and talk things over with him. She was happy his mother had gone to take care of his sister and her baby else she might have stopped her from coming in. Not bothering to knock on the front door, the anxious girl opened it and walked hastily to Felix's room, totally ignorant of the fact that there were moans coming from the room.

When she pushed the door open after a brisk knock, she stood transfixed in dismay as she watched the naked couple on the bed. Ivie couldn't seem to tear herself away from the erotic sight; a sight that was tearing her apart. A girl, stark naked, was riding what she could now call her ex-boyfriend like she used to do in the past. Felix had his eyes closed and was moaning out his pleasure. She must have made a sound or something because he paused and looked at her with pleasure-filled eyes.

"Yes, what do you want? As you can see, I have moved on," he curtly told her before fixing his gaze on the naked girl who had halted her movements. "Babe, continue abeg, you're killing me."

Same words he used to say to her. In her blind rush out of the room, she didn't see Felix roughly push the unclad girl aside before sitting up to put his hands on his head with anguish on his face. Ivie couldn't recall how she got home. She just found herself in her room and leapt on her bed. Her heart felt as if someone was squeezing it. She felt short of breath. So the rumours were true. So Felix has really gone back to his former womanizing self as she'd heard. Meaning the rumours that he'd been cheating on her in his school when the going was good were all true. Talk about double standard! So it was okay for him to cheat on her but it was a no-go area when the shoe was on the other foot albeit she hadn't even cheated on him? You do not teach the paths of the forest to an old gorilla.

Oh, God, why? Why me? She lamented. Was this punishment for opening her legs when she wasn't married? Why had things turned out this way? She wasn't the first to engage in fornication neither would she be the last, so why was her case different? Oh, how she regretted allowing Felix to sleep with her and continue sleeping with her. Now she would bear her cross alone because she was sure he wouldn't believe her.

She wailed as she wept. Unfortunately, there was no one to comfort her.

After a foolish deed comes remorse.

**********

Gio knew he had to try his best to get through to his father to call off the wedding before his departure the following day. This had been the worst holiday ever. Only Gaetano who didn't know what was going on had made it worthwhile. Fi had disappeared to go and visit relatives after causing harm. Gio knocked on the door to his father's room when he was sure he was back from his sitting that morning. His father was at his table, writing. Gio stood by the door. His father motioned for him to come to the sitting area. He sat down and faced his father.

"Dad, I know I haven't given you cause to believe me but I'm telling you once again that I didn't touch her. I swear I didn't."

Senator Ekwe stared at his son. He so desperately wanted to believe him but the evidence against him was incriminating. Why would Fi lie against him? He had come up with a theory for his peace of mind. Gio probably blanked out like he did in the past after the incidence.

He sighed. "I want to believe you, son. I really do but you don't have anyone to back you. Why would Fi lie against you."

Gio leaned back on the red and black high-backed chair with exasperation. "Fi is on a personal vendetta. She's trying to pay me back for the years I neglected her."

His father flipped his hand. "That's so flimsy an excuse."

"But it's the truth. She's jealous of Nkiru. She hates the fact that it was Nkiru not her who brought me back to my former self."

An eyebrow lifted. "You expect me to believe that?"

Gio sat up again. He put both palms together. "Father please. I beg of you. Please do something to stop this madness. I didn't touch her. Nkiru is my life."

"But you almost touched her," his father pointed out bluntly.

"Yes." His son's shoulders hunched. "It was a moment of weakness. Please believe me."

His father ached to believe him. He knew his son wasn't promiscuous by nature. There was a time he'd even been scared Gio might be gay until the Nkiru girl came along. But the die was cast.

He focused his gaze on what he was writing. "You just have to take it like a man. Some things happen that we can't control. Maybe you didn't intentionally touch her. You probably blanked out again in the process."

Gio's face showed disbelief. "When was the last time you heard I blanked out?"

"You still see and talk to Dano, don't you?"

"Leave Dano out of this. He has nothing to do with it. I'm not crazy," he vehemently stated. 

His father got up. "I have made my decision. Whether you're there or not that day, the marriage rites will take place. You shouldn't have allowed her into your room in the first place."

"The party shouldn't have taken place in the first place," Gio yelled and rose also. "You made me lose one year of my life, please don't bind me to a girl I hate for the rest of my life. If you hadn't insisted on that party taking place this wouldn't have happened."

"What in the world are you talking about? I was happy for you. I was proud of you. I even broke my piggy bank to get you a car i knew you would love. If you hadn't been a jerk and quarreled with your girlfriend over what was none of your business, Jessica wouldn't have found her way into your room. He who goes to sleep with an itching anus wakes up with smelly fingers." 

"The fact that you're sleeping with my late mother's sister is none of my business?" Gio raged but his father ignored him and wanted to walk away but Gio held his hand.

"Dad please. Please don't do this to me. Nkiru means the world to me. Don't make me lose her because of a liar."

His father held his other hand in a fist and grimaced. Too much was at stake. If he didn't allow the wedding push through, the consequences would be dire. He was certain Jessica's family would go public with it. They were a shameless bunch. They'd insinuated not only going public with it but suing him as well. He didn't mind all that but he knew if it went public, his kids would suffer. The press would dig deep and divulge Gio's stay in the hospital in America which he'd done his best to keep hidden thus far. They'd also hinted they knew about Gio's spell in a psychiatric hospital. He suspected it was his foolish daughter, Fi who'd probably told Jessica about it. What foolishness had made her tell a stranger such a deep family secret, he couldn't comprehend. Now he had the media to deal with. The media had published several bloodcurdling stories about what happened to those foolish enough not to cover their tracks. Gio's future was at stake here. He didn't care if he lost the election this year. He was only interested in protecting his son and his family. He preferred his son divorced than being hounded as a crazy person wherever he went for the rest of his life.

His son didn't know he'd explored all avenues. He'd gone to visit the chief justice to look for a way to get out of their predicament. They'd put heads together but hadn't come up with anything. Abortion was out of the question. The only way was a DNA test which the girl in question had frowned heavily at, which had initially made him more suspicious but she had stated her fears on the risk involved for her baby and had accussed them of trying to get rid of her baby. He'd researched and discovered there were a number of places in Nigeria to carry out the test with minimal risks without them having to go abroad to get it done. If the grandchild was really his, he didn't want it born out of wedlock. He however didn't want to lose his son. This was more than being in between a rock and a hard place but he'd leave no stone unturned till he could get his son out of the mess. He already had the plan of getting the married anulled. He would tell his people to give to Jessica's people whatever the requested for during the marriage rites to keep them happy and unsuspicious like he'd done when they came to his house to confront Gio. He would keep them happy and unsuspicious till his plan panned out. He would insist on no white wedding till Jessica put to bed and tell Gio not to touch her no matter how tempted. He would fly Jessica out to have her baby in America then ask Gio to come over for the paternity test before Jessica was even out of the labour room. If the baby wasn't his, they'd send her back to Nigeria with shame and demand for the bride price to be returned. Gio would continue his relationship with Nkiru. But he wouldn't tell his son his plans in order not to raise his hopes up in case all didn't go as planned. Hope dashed was certainly worse than no hope at all. And also for Gio not to act rashly. His son was quite a hot-head. But if the child was his...

"Why don't we wait for the result of the DNA paternity test," he said with a note of finality.

Gio scoffed.

"Why? Are you scared it would turn out a perfect match?"

Gio felt it would be doctored and told his father so. As far as Jessica and her family had insisted on knowing where the test would be carried out because they didn't trust the senator and his son enough not to falsify the results, he knew the worthless family would pay through their noses just to make the diagnostic centre claim he was the father of that witch's child. If not money, then something. Everyone had a price. The chief justice was known to be a very corrupt and ruthless man. His dad, with his good intentions was no match for such a corrupt family. His late mother had once said, 'Money can’t talk, yet it can make lies look true.' He just had to take matters into his own hands.

Gio however didn't know that his father had had double samples collected and had secretly engaged the services of another diagnostic centre to have the test done. If the results were the same, then it was a lost cause. If not, then the senator was willing to fight and even lose all just to make sure his son didn't end up with a girl he hated.

"If the child turns out to be yours through the paternity test, then there's nothing I can do, Gio. My hands are tied."

"You can't or won't do anything?" His eyes blazed. "I promise you, if you go ahead with this wedding, I'll become worse than I used to be. I'll become completely frozen and when I come into my inheritance two years from now, you'll never see me again." He marched to the door. His father could only stare at him as he slammed the door shut. Senator Ekwe angrily opened the door and walked behind his son.

"Give me your passport," he demanded fiercely when they got to his son's room. He couldn't afford his son taking matters into his own hands.

"You want to control my movement too?" Gio was surprised.

"Don't toy with me, Giovanni. Give me your passport." He stretched forth his hand. Gio, an embodiment of ice, went to the drawer of his dresser to remove his Nigerian passport. He threw it at his father but it landed on the floor a few feet from him.

"Pick it, Giovanni." The words were spoken from the senator's clenched teeth. Gio stood there in defiance.

"If you don't want the beating of your life right now, bend that impertinent body of yours, pick it and give it to me." Gio was tempted to dare his father but thought of Nkiru. She wouldn't be happy to hear that he'd fought with his father but God, he was so angry. He walked to where the passport lay on the rugged floor and picked it. He was about to slam it in the man's outstretched hand when his father held his hand in a vice-like grip.

"Don't you ever in your life try this nonsense again. I've been very lenient with you over the years because of what you've been through but if you ever disrespect me like this again, I'll make sure you don't get your inheritance. Have I made myself clear?" Black eyes held black eyes. Understanding passed between them. Gio nodded slowly but the senator leaned forward with a hand pushing forth his ear in anticipation of a response.

"Yes sir," Gio whispered.

"Good." He took the passport from his son. "The frown on the face of the goat will not stop it from being taken to the market. Whether you're there or not, your marriage rites to Jessica will take place two weeks from now in her family house in the Awomama. Comprehend?"

"Yes sir," his son intoned coldly.

The senator walked out of the room. Gio turned and hit his fist against the door of his wardrobe. He flexed his fingers in pain. He wasn't going to surrender his life to that slut. It was time to keep anger at bay. It wouldn't solve anything. Drastic times call for drastic measures. Thank God Dano had thought of something. He prayed it would work. It was crunch time.

A roaring lion kills no game.

**********

2011

When it was time to go back to Akure, Nkiru went to Owerri to board a bus that would take her there. Gio had wanted her to take a flight to Abuja, then he'd drive them down to Akure like they did when they went for orientation camp but she'd refused. She didn't want their first meeting after the incident with Jessica and her people to be in a crowded airport. Nkiru arrived in the evening. After staring at each other when Gio opened the door for her, she went inside to drop her baggage and the food stuff her mother had given her. She strolled slowly into the beautifully furnished living room. She'd told Gio not to bother furnishing the house since they were only going to be there for a year but he'd refused. He wanted them to live in comfort for the whole period and then they might decide if they wanted to stay there permanently after service. Nkiru had seen it as a waste of money but conceded when Gio promised to sell everything or leave them in the house till they got somewhere to live in if they decided to relocate to another state. It had actually been fun going to buy the furniture, electronics, kitchen equipment and utensils and other household accessories together. Gio had a high taste. He always went for the best. She couldn't blame him though, the money was there for him to do that.

Her boyfriend was seated on one of the chintz covered arm chairs, going through his phone. Nkiru fidgeted. She didn't know what to say.

"Emmm...have you eaten?" she finally asked from the doorway leading to the rooms.

"No." He shook his head slowly, still staring at his phone. Nkiru decided to go and lie on her bed since he looked as if he wasn't in a good mood. She spun on her heels to leave when she heard his voice.

"Luna, I swear on my late mother's grave that I didn't sleep with her."

She turned back to stare at him. "I know. I believe you."

Her quietly spoken words got him on his feet. He enveloped her in a warm embrace. 

"What are we going to do?" Her voice was laced with worry.

"I'll fix it. I promise. If only I hadn't quarreled with you that night. If only I had thrown her out of the room the second she came in. If only..."

His girlfriend placed a finger on his lips to stop his pain-and-regret-filled words. "Ssh, sweetheart. Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped. We will get through this together."

"Please don't leave me." His plea touched her heart. She lifted her head from his chest and held his eyes with hers.

"I'll never leave you again. I promise."

His lips descended on hers. "I love you, Luna."

"Right back at ya, amore mio."


Gio grinned. The first in a while.


An army of sheep led by a lion can defeat an army of lions led by a sheep.


*To be continued*

Letting go of someone we love is the hardest thing we will ever do. Some people never surrender to love for the fear of being hurt. But to not have loved, to not have felt the immense joy it brings, would have been a far worse kind of death.
—Goldie Hawn



Episode 14


**********

Nkiru wondered what Gio had done all day as she alighted in front of the estate from the taxi she boarded from Old Garage. She paid her fare and walked towards the mini gate of the estate. She took a left turn, greeted people along the way until she got to her cream-colored house. The house had a small compound with a small gate. She pushed open the gate and locked it behind her, certain Gio was inside since his car was parked there. He'd left their NAFDAC CDS group early. After their CDS, she'd gone to visit friends in Ijapo estate. She'd gotten carried away with gisting and watching movies that the sun was going to bed before she'd decided to leave. Only finding out then that the text message she'd sent to her boyfriend didn't deliver.

It was beginning to get dark. She strolled to the small balcony and knocked on the wooden door. Gio opened it. She gave him a hug and stretched on her toes to give him a peck on the cheek. She started talking immediately but the words hung in her throat when she took in the scene before her as she entered the living room. The house didn't have a dining area so they usually ate in the living room. The lights had been deemed to bring out the beauty of the romantically set table. Four scented candles created a rectangular shape on the coffee table. In between them were two plates of her favorite meal, artistically designed-- Jollof rice and fried chicken, garnished with salad and fried plantain. Two empty wine glasses stood beside an ice bucket with a bottle of Don Moët champagne inside it. A single rose laid beside it. She turned to look at him, a question in her eyes. With a small smile, he handed her a FedEx parcel.

"This came in for you today at the secretariat. I collected it for you." He put his hands in his khaki trousers. Nkiru noticed irrelevantly that he hadn't changed from his white polo shirt, khaki trousers and jungle boots just like her. She wondered who would send her a parcel. She had never received a parcel in her life. She wanted to leave it till after dinner but curiosity wouldn't let her. Nkiru stood there before him to tear it open. Her eyes narrowed when she realized it contained only a sheet of paper. She smiled when she read its contents. It was a word code. She'd to decipher the message. She could think of only one person who would send her such-- Hassana, her naughty friend.

"What does it say?" Gio quietly asked.

"It's a word code. There's a message here. Care to join me?" She lifted her head, smiling. He smiled back but shook his head slowly. When she wanted to move away, he held her hand and told her he was eager to get the message. She shrugged and removed a biro from her hand bag and went to take a seat. Gio stood there staring down at her. She unlaced her jungle boots and removed her stockinged feet from it.

Nkiru bent her head and quickly began decoding the words. She wrote down the decoded letters at the bottom of the sheet at random without trying to piece the words together. After placing the final figure, the letter 'a', she decided to read what her crazy friend had sent her. Her jaw dropped. She lifted her head slowly as if in a trance to meet Gio's intense eyes. Her heart was about to burst from her chest.

Will You Marry Me?

That was what she'd deciphered.

She stared at him wide-eyed and stunned before rising sluggishly. She placed her feet in her boots to walk to him but had to remove them when something in her right boot prevented her from putting her leg fully. It was a jewelry box from Tiffany & Co.

Gio hit a remote button and music from the DVD player enhanced by the home theatre system filled the room. Bless The Broken Road by Rascall Flats filtered into the room.

While the instrumentals was going on, he went to her. He took the box from her hand, cupped her cheeks softly before putting his arms around her in a slow dance. He sang along.

I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through

I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you
That every long lost dream lead me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
Yes it did

I think about years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time lost and give it back to you
But you smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

Every long lost dream lead me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
Yeah

And now i'm rolling home
Into my lover's arms
This much i know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

That God blessed the broken road
Ooh, ooh
That led me straight to you

When the song slowly winded to an end with instrumentals, she raised her tear-stained face to look at him.

"Can we really do this?" she asked in between tears and smiles. Gio wiped her tears away with his hands.

"Yes, we can. We can do anything as far as we love each other. I love you with a depth that even scares me at times, Luna. I want to spend the rest of my life with you against all odds. Nkiru Anita Chiwendu, will you marry me?" 

More tears dropped from her eyes. "Yes! Yes! I'll marry you Giovanni Chukwuma Ekwe. I love you so much! You're my life!"

Gio removed the box he'd placed inside his pocket before his dance with her and opened it. He lifted her left hand and placed the gold ring with a clutter of diamond studs on her middle finger. She stared at it in wonder and smiled. Gio placed a finger underneath her chin to raise it and gave her a slow but passionate kiss that left her breathless. 

The following day being a Saturday, they went to Idanre hills and had a picnic there. It was a fun-filled day. Nkiru couldn't stop herself from looking at her ring almost every thirty minutes. Was it really true? Was she engaged to the man of her dreams? Nkiru was tickled pink. She felt she'd wake up any moment to discover it was just a sweet dream. She called Nkechi and Hassana to tell them. They both shouted on the phone in euphoria and wished them well. She thought there'd be a change in their relationship but they were still the same old couple even though Gio's kisses had moved from chaste to intimate. He however didn't take it further than that much to her disappointment. He'd woken up a fire inside her but she was willing to wait till their wedding night since that seemed plausible now.

When she went to the Scared Heart Cathedral to worship that Sunday, she felt like coming out for thanksgiving. She however giggled when she imagined what she'd be thanking God for-- getting engaged! The church wardens would probably throw her out. She couldn't help the fact that her Corper friends noticed the ring when they met after the first mass. She saw envy in their eyes. She knew they'd always wondered at her relationship with Gio, first from camp and now they were not only living together but engaged as well. They sent their regards to Gio who they'd noticed never came to church with her. Nkiru had tired her best but failed to get Gio to attend church with her. She however took consolation in the fact that he wouldn't be able to dodge getting married in a church.

**********

The handsome young man felt like a billion dollars when he stepped down from his car opposite Freedom road. Dressed in a white Marks & Spencer shirt teamed with white Levi's jean trousers and white belt, Burberry sneakers and hat and also a Ray-ban foldable aviator glasses shading his eyes from the rays of the sun, Felix felt as if he should go to Benin and have his state governor bow down to him. He was looking that good and feeling that fly. After shutting the door of his Honda Civic, and taking a few steps around the car, he reveled at the numerous eyes on him.

Just as he removed his glasses to see properly to cross the road to the other side to Ivie's house in order to avoid stories that touched, a motorcycle rider on high speed splashed muddy water on his sneakers from the small puddle that had formed inside a pothole due to a leaky water tanker going to deliver water that had stopped there for some minutes.

Felix paused and wondered how someone could be plying his trade of wizardry in broad daylight. Wasn't it sheer wickedness that someone would see him looking so fresh and clean, so cream de la cream, yet decide to muddy his clothes?

"But una witchcraft strong for this village sha. Una no go see me," he murmured to himself and crossed the road to Ivie's house.

It was childish of him, he knew, for he wanted her to see what she had thrown away for that louse who'd brought his fiancée home for all and sundry to see. He had used and dumped Ivie. It had pained him to his bone marrows when he'd sighted Ehis and his would be wife in church but short of going there to punch his lights out, there was nothing he could do. Besides, he had to maintain the camouflage to his friend's that he was okay when deep down, he felt as if something was eating him up. He had truly loved Ivie. Her betrayal still hurt ike a machete cut.

He paused at the door. To think he'd thanked God for bringing his soul mate so early in his life. All for naught. His mother, knowing her son just from the phone had been able to deduce that something was wrong with him. She had put pressure on him to tell her what was wrong. She'd wanted to leave Port Harcourt on his behalf so he had eventually opened up to stop her from coming back. She'd been sorry to see him hurt but glad to see the back of Ivie. His mother had comforted him to no avail. Wanting to make her only son happy, she'd pressurized her husband into getting him the car he'd promised him since his third year. She and his sisters and their husbands contributed financially towards her husband getting the car for their son. The car had lifted Felix's spirits and he'd longed for a way to show it off to his ex-girlfriend since she seemed to fancy guys with cars. The opportunity had presented itself when she'd come to his house to tell him she needed to talk to him. He'd been in front of the house, inside the car with his latest catch. He hadn't given her a listening ear and she'd begged that she couldn't say what she had to say infront of his girlfriend and he hadn't corrected that impression. The lady had just being another bed warmer. He couldn't count how many girls he'd bedded since Ivie broke his heart. There were times when he would look down and see Ivie's face instead of the present bed warmer and quickly get off her, abusing Ivie to high heavens. But eventually, he was able to focus and push her out of his mind no matter how it hurt.

Ivie had pleaded with him to come and see her whenever he was free because she'd used her last money that day to come and see him. He had heard she no longer operated her recharge card shop and her grandfather still refused to die. Wanting to kill two birds with one stone, he'd agreed. He'd tell her to stop calling him and sending him messages of wanting to see him and then listen to whatever sorry tale she had cooked up. His friends had told him not to go but he'd told them he needed closure. This was probably the last time he'd set eyes on her. Since he was now in his final year, he'd make sure he spent more time in school.

Knocking on the iron door, he stepped back and waited for someone to answer it. He was sure it wouldn't be her aunt. He could count the number of times he'd seen the middle-aged woman. She was never at home. Always out hustling for money or in the hospital taking care of her father. Maybe she felt at eighteen, Ivie was old enough to take care of herself. If she'd known the number of s.ex that had taken place in the house between him and Ivie, and of course, Ehis and who knew, maybe another or some other guys, she wouldn't have stepped a foot out of the house.

The door opened and Ivie stood at the other side. Felix felt a pang in his heart. His ex-girlfriend was now a shadow of her former self. She was very pale and looked sickly. She had even lost weight. The spaghetti gown she had on which he'd bought her hung on her like that of a scarecrow. She was a far cry from the beautiful girl he'd known. What a pity! For some seconds he remembered the good times with her. They had enjoyed the best of both worlds. But she had made her bed, so she should lie on it. Alone.

"Welcome," Ivie said with a small smile. "Please come in."

Her politeness grated on his nerves but he removed his hat from his head and entered the sparsely furnished living room. He avoided the old sofa they had made out on during his second to the last visit there and sat on the white plastic chair close to the door. She stood with uncertainty.

"Can I get you something to drink?"

"Yeah right," he sneered. "You don put otumokpor (love potion) inside abi?"

Tears smarted in her eyes. Felix cursed his wayward tongue.

"Sorry. No, I don't want anything to drink."

Ivie abruptly went to sit on the only armchair in the room far away from him.

"I heard you have a car now. I'm happy for you. Did your dad..."

Felix cut in roughly, "Ivie, I didn't come here for niceties. I came to tell you to stop calling me and texting me. I wanted to change my number but thought against it. You weren't worth changing my number for. It's over between us. It was good while it lasted but I've moved on. I don't need to tell you that. You saw it for yourself the last couple of times you came to my house. My girlfriend doesn't fancy you calling me and texting me all the time. She's the jealous type. So please quit embarrassing yourself. Now what do you want to tell me?" Felix dealt harshly with his ex-girlfriend.

Ivie moved herself backward as if she'd been given a blow. He didn't need to tell her he'd moved on. Less than a week of seeing her with Ehis, he had had different girls visit him for s.ex. Obehi had relished telling her about his escapades. It just went to show that he never truly loved her. Weeks later she was still hurt at their breakup but he'd already replaced her. She'd wanted to tell him subtly but since this was the way he wanted it, oh well!

"I'm pregnant," she delivered into the silence that had fallen in the room.

The uneasy silence dragged.

Ivie looked down at her hands.

"It's eight weeks old. I didnt want to tell you but my aunt found out and threatened me. I didn't tell her you're responsible but she told me to tell its father or get thrown out of the house. It was conceived probably when we had that quickie on this couch. You didn't use protection and when i told you i was probably in the my fertile stage, you pulled out but i think the damage had already been done by then. Remember that night?" she asked the rigid Felix.

The silence still dragged on like a hangman's rope threatening to snap tight at any moment.

After some tense minutes, Felix rose fluidly upright to regard her narrowly. 

"You still think I'm that fool who worshipped you, right?"

Ivie gasped, raising both hands, palms outward, in a gesture of sincerity.

"I swear on my late mother's grave that you're responsible. You are...were my only lover. I never slept with Ehis or any other male. Please believe me."

Felix laughed humourlessly. "You expect me to believe that? Seeing is believing."

In desperation, Ivie walked up to him and slowly went on her knees before him. "Please believe me, Felix. Remember you took my virginity. I don't want anything from you. I just want you to acknowledge to my aunt that you're the father of my baby. I don't want her to throw me out. Please, I beg of you. Please." Ivie sobbed as she spoke.

Something broke inside of him. He'd never liked to see Ivie cry. It always made him want to tear his hair out. But he didn't want to be played for a fool again. He knew what he saw that night. Rape! Yet she hadn't been struggling or screaming. She'd laid there in her undies allowing Ehis kiss her. That image made him want to smash something. Maybe the child was his, maybe it wasn't. He remembered vividly the night she'd claimed her child was conceived. He'd been so Hot for her, after being in school for a whole month without seeing her and due to his forced celibacy, he'd needed to left off steam on his brief visit home. Luckily, her aunt had gone to buy something so they'd had to do it real quick. He remembered having to shoot his load off in his boxers when she'd yelled she was either nearing her ovulation or it was that very day just when he'd started to release. Could they be that fertile? Or was it Ehis's child?

"Have you told Ehis?" he questioned expectantly.

Ivie looked crestfallen. He obviously had not believe all she said.

"Of course not!" she stated angrily. "I repeat. Ehis didn't sleep with me. I swear! Let God strike me and this baby dead before the end of this month if Ehis ever slept with me," she vehemtly stated, being at the end of her tether.

Felix smiled a little. "Really? Then see you at the end of the month."

With that, he put his Burberry hat on his head and strode to the door.

Refusing to justify herself again, and frankly incapable of saying another word, she rose, spun on her heel and rushed from the living room. She sprinted down the hall to her own room and rushed inside, slamming the door and locking it before collapsing on the floor and giving into the pain mushrooming inside her.

She thrust her face violently into the pillow on the bed, terrified that he might hear the shuddering sobs tearing for an exit from her shivering body. She began to sit up in spite of the sick whirling sensation that engulfed her the moment she moved, listening to him walk away.

Oh, God, she had failed to convince Felix. Her aunt was going to throw her out of the house. Felix was wicked.

The so-called wicked guy was feeling like James Bond as he drove with speed out of Ubiaja. He was disturbed by the memory of Ivie weeping at his feet and that the child she was carrying might really be his. Had they still being together, after the first rush of fear, he would have been delighted that she was carrying his first child. He was so disturbed that he didn't see the trailer coming directly in front of him under the bridge until was too late.

Metals could be heard clashing.

Is premarital sex really worth it?

**********

Gio allowed Nkiru to bask in the euphoria of their engagement before he dropped his bombshell when they came back from their PPA on Monday afternoon. They had to get married next week, in a registry. Nkiru would hear nothing of it. She ranted and raved. She wanted her dream wedding; a church filled with her family and friends. Gio tried to reason with her that it wouldn't be possible and they didn't have time on their hands but she refused to listen. She burst into tears and rushed to her room to slam the door. She locked herself in despite Gio's pleas at the door for her to come out. She laid on her bed and cried. She knew Gio was right but life was so unfair. She felt real hatred for the first time in her life. She hated Jessica. Why couldn't she have just let Gio go? Why had she decided to spoil things for her? 

Nkiru rolled restlessly on her bed. She wasn't even going to have a traditional wedding. She wasn't going to dress in her native attire to take a cup of palm wine to Gio. Her mother wasn't going to feel proud that her first daughter was getting married. Could she really do this? Marry in an office without her parents' consent? They were of age so they needed only witnesses. Could she betray and cheat her parents out of her marriage? Their Ada (first daughter)? She was caught between two stools. Don't count your chickens before the eggs have hatched. She had counted hers after Gio had given her that ring. She had dreamt of a wedding and honeymoon fit for a queen, forgetting totally about Jessica.

She lifted her hand to stare at her ring. But she loved Gio with a passion. She couldn't imagine life without him. She was gripped with the belief that she would walk off the edge of the world if he asked her to. If she didn't marry him, Jessica would. The following week had been slated for the wine carrying, bride price paying and all that with her family. More tears dropped from her eyes. Jessica was cheating her. She was trying to take her place. That event ought to take place in her house not Jessica's. It never rains, it pours but it was time to put her money where her mouth was. But could they really get married just like that? They weren't abroad where couples just called their parents to tell them they were married. She'd watched a lot of foriegn movies where couples went to Las Vegas to have a quick wedding even at the age of eighteen but never Nigeria. Had such ever happened in Nigeria? Was it even allowed? She took her phone from the pillow beside her. It was time to gather information.

She didn't come out of her room that night and that got Gio worried. He didn't know how to cook, so he went to Chicken Republic in Alagbaka to get their dinner but she refused coming out to eat. When she didn't talk to him the following morning before leaving for their place of primary assignment, he became alarmed. He tried to think of a way around their problem but came up short. This was the only way to beat his dad, Jessica and her people. He understood how she felt. He knew every girl dreamt of how her wedding would be. Fi had always talked his ears off about how hers would be. He wished he could turn back the hands of time. He would have insisted on the party not taking place. Heck, he'd have ended the friendship between the slut, Jessica and his sister. But he hadn't really cared enough about his sister's friends. He'd only warned her to be wary of Jessica after he caught her with that guy that night. His indifference to his family had cost him greatly. Fi had perfected her revenge against him. He hadn't spoken to her since he'd told her those harsh words that fateful day. Gio regretted saying such to her but he'd been overcome by rage. He should have spoken to and endeared himself to the side of the sister he'd grown up with and loved. Maybe, just maybe she would have changed her story. She'd left the following day to go and visit their cousins in Lagos. They hadn't communicated since.

Gio, his hands in his pockets walked home slowly the following day. He had not felt like driving his car. Nkiru had left the school without even telling him. She'd told her students she wasn't feeling too fine so could not hold their usual extra-moral lessons. Gio knew better. He opened and shut the gate behind him. He turned the brass door knob and heaved a sigh of relief when it opened. He wouldn't put it past her to lock him out in her fury. He was amazed to notice she'd kept with their ritual despite her anger. The coffee table was already set with lunch. She came out from the kitchen which was opposite the living room with a bowl of water in one hand. She didn't even spare him a glance. She sat down on the rugged floor, washed her hands and cut a lump of eba which she dipped into the richly garnished egusi soup. Gio went to his room, dropped his bag and changed to casual clothes of a shirt and shorts. He went to take a leak in the toilet before joining her in the living room. Gio watched his fiancee tentatively. Seemingly glad, however, of something to do, he sat on the rugged floor at the opposite side of the table. Time seemed to move on without her noticing. Tired of watching her eat alone, he washed his hands and cut a lump of the molded eba and dipped it in the soup. He ate noiselessly and savored the taste. Nkiru was a very good cook. Her culinary skills never failed to blow his taste buds away. They savoured the culinary delight in silence. She ate and played with her phone while he ate with his eyes on her. Their eyes didn't meet. She dropped the phone and tried opening the bottled water (he'd maintained they wouldn't drink sachet water because he didn't trust them). He quietly took the plastic bottle from her and opened it. He gave it back to her and she murmured her thanks. They continued eating in silence. Nkiru washed her hand, wiped it on the dish rag and got up. Gio quickly did the same and rose. He held her hand when she wanted to walk past him.

"Luna, please. It's the only way." She turned to stare at the door then she used her other hand to cover her eyes tightly.

"I know. I know." She sobbed. Gio dropped her hand and took her in his arms. "I know there's no other way but it still doesn't stop the pain I'm feeling knowing my family won't be at my wedding." Gio held her tightly.

With a broken voice, her fiancé said, "Luna, I can't do this without you. It takes two to tango. You once told me If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

Nkiru grimaced. Of all the time to remind her of her proverb!

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. If only I hadn't quarreled with you that night. If only I'd thrown Jessica out of the room when she came in, Fi wouldn't have met her there. I'm so sorry for everything, amore mio." Gio closed his eyes as regret filled every pore in his body.

"No need for recriminations. We need a way forward." She sniffed and left his arms. She sat on one of the blue and white flowery patterned arm chairs and drew her legs to her chest. Gio sat on the arm of the chair and stared down at her with pain.

"I browsed about civil marriages in Nigeria. I don't think we can make it. We have to give the court three weeks notice before fixing a date for our wedding." She removed her pink handkerchief from the pocket of her grey shorts and blew her nose with it.

Gio smiled. She'd researched their wedding even in her anger.

"It's possible to get a special license but since I didn't want any opposition whatsoever since we're dealing with two custodians of Nigerian law, I filed for the license on the twenty-seventh of last month."

Nkiru raised shocked eyes to his. "What? You've been planning this?"

He smiled a little and held her hand. "After that meeting on boxing day, I knew I had to do something drastic. Dano came up with the idea. The twenty-second of this month was fixed for the Ikwu Aka or whatever. I think it's called knocking on the door or something." Nkiru nodded and looked away. She knew all about the marriage rites in her place. Tears gathered in her eyes again at what she'd be missing. Gio's warm hand turned her chin to meet his eyes.

"We'll do all that. I promise. Let's just get Jessica out of the way. Please." At his gently spoken words, she swallowed her tears and nodded. 

"It's going to be tight," he continued. "But we can do it. Even though it might be just at the skin of our teeth. I told Tosin about it the following day. He sent someone to the registry here where the person obtained the Form A. He sent it via a driver coming to Abuja since that was the fastest way to get it across to me. When I finished filling it and attaching our passports, I paid a driver to send it back here. The guy submitted it on the 28th. Counting from then, Monday next week will make it twenty-one days. That's on the 17th. We need to go and swear the oath and have the marriage done between Tuesday 18th and Friday 21st since the introduction is on Saturday."

With arms folded around herself, Nkiru got up and started pacing the room. Gio watched her every move from the chair. She paused and looked at him.

"So when are we getting married?"

Gio grinned and rushed to take her in his arms. 

"On Wednesday, the 19th of January, 2011. Well, that's if we can, 'cause I need to get to Abuja on Friday to stop my dad from going to waste his time going to the village."

"Okay. Who will be our witnesses?"

He looked down at her. "I was thinking Nkechi and Aunt Peace. Nkechi can keep our secret, right?" Nkiru slowly nodded. Nkechi was good at keeping secrets. If Nkiru hadn't found her bleeding when she came home that fateful day, Nkechi would never have told her what happened.

"Why here? Why not Abuja or else where?"

"I don't want my dad to find out before I have the satisfaction of telling him myself." Nkiru chuckled at that. So Gio was using their wedding to score a point against his dad. She lifted her head from his chest and gazed into his eyes.

"I love you, Nkiru. I promise you, you will never have cause to regret taking this risk with me," 

His fiancée prayed so.


*To be continued on Wednesday*


Have a nice week ahead, everybody.


Thanking you!

mitchyy:


You already gave me spoilers. Don't defend any of your characters dear. Just let us think whatever we wish and at the end, allow us to be surprised. That's the beauty in it.

Caught in the act again! Hubby complains i explain myself too much. I can't help doing that. I hate being misunderstood. I hate her too sha but felt sorry for her when everyone attacked her, well, except kingphilip, her defense attorney, i just felt i had to come and defend her action. Lips sealed from now on. Thanks dearie.

dis is unfair oh, I can't sleep tonite again. @AudreyTimms thank u for keeping me busy, can't wait to see d end.

Ehn Ehn Audrey, bekhona? Warrisdis? Please come back and explain explicitly what u did to felix..now now abeg. That felix last scene is highly unacceptable. Please don't kill him off, biko.

Gio, sharpest guy ever liveth. That's how you teach peeps who think they are smart....i pity u Jessica.

Audrey did u mistakenly type Wednesday instead of Tuesday for the continuation?

AudreyTimms:

Caught in the act again! Hubby complains i explain myself too much. I can't help doing that. I hate being misunderstood. I hate her too sha but felt sorry for her when everyone attacked her, well, except king philip, her defense attorney, i just felt i had to come and defend her action. Lips sealed from now on. Thanks dearie.

without that I'm sure we'll not have gotten the spoilers

Nice read. Good job AudreyTimms

Enthralling as usual Jessica is in for it!!!



Kudos AudreyTimms.

Audrey Wednesday far oh chai

Wednesday? Haba!what's our crime na? Ohhhhhhhhh don't punish us na. Audrey we are sorry ma! Plssssss

Am short of words.. I know this is a repeat of wat others said. But ur work is heart melting. Above all, awesome.

Izyyblaze:

Ever so Inquisitive? How would you know that when you don't even know me.
I'm very good dear,thanks for asking. Hope you are good too

i am doing fine plus i have a keen eye for observing people, u seem inquisitive at least online on nl, u might be a totally different person offline like a lot of people are

Oh! That track by Rascal Flatts is just lovely. Kudos to ma Audrey

Muaahhh.
bug wait, do u really mean wednesday?

beautiful story Audrey. God bless u

Felix cnt die nw cos he as an xplanatn 2 Ivie's aunt oo nd wat z going 2 happen 2 Giond Nk afta dia marriage? Wat of Senator's plan 4 Gio nd Jessica? Tnx 4 d update

I've not heard that proverb before " He that sleeps with an itchy anus wakes up with smelly fingers" Hahahahahaha! Audrey Timms, you ŊO̶̷̩̥̊͡ go kill me with laugh. Wonderful dear.

*Muaaahhh* Audrey u re d best *in Tuface voice* cnt wait 2 see d end of dis

Thanking you...AuderyTimms.Thanking you...AuderyTimms.Thanking you...AuderyTimms.

Audrey
U nefa Simms to wow mi
Nice one person pikin Na una dey dere

Kisses for you Audrey Timms, your write up is so mind blowing, it kept me glued to ma fone all day. I pray God to give you more Inspirations.

gio ma nigggga! by the time he's through with Jessica, she wouldn't know what hit her and her bastard child of a thousand fathers.

I'm so loving this update. just wish its a movie.

kudos Audreytimms

3rdlegxxx:


i am doing fine plus i have a keen eye for observing people, u seem inquisitive at least online on nl, u might be a totally different person offline like a lot of people are

Oh...Okay. Thanks for the observation tho

sis Audrey....did u actually Kill Felix my niqqa?

I can never understand why people like to complicate issues that ordinarily should be simple... It could have helped a lot if senator Ekwe had opened up to Gio about his plans. I mean, this is Gio's life we are talking about here so he deserves to know what's going on with it. Awww, poor Ivie , I feel your pain, it's quite sad that no one is with you on this. Audrey please nothing should happen to dear Felix o. Thanks for the update but don't you think Wednesday is kinda far? .

I am so satisfied this monday morning. This your food is delicious, Audrey. Thanks ma'am.
I really love how things are unfolding for Gio and Nkiru. And for Felix and Ivie (except the accident part). I know he wont die and things will be resolved. Hopefully...

@kingphilip,trust me, when it comes to the blaming department, they have all got a share. But I wasn't even throwing blames, was just analysing your Fi as a character in the story as portrayed by the writer and I maintain that she's gullible and have no family values. She acted selfishly even though it's all because she felt hurt by Gio.
I have so many things to say on this but I think I should just end it there.